Six Nations - Griffen back for Azzurri

Eurosport - Thu, 12 Feb 12:45:00 2009

Veteran scrum-half Paul Griffen has been recalled by Italy for their Six Nations clash with Ireland, while Mauro Bergamasco reverts to the back-row.

RUGBY Paul Griffen, Italy, Six Nations 2007 - 0

Italy coach Nick Mallett last week played Mauro Bergamasco at scrum-half for their championship opener against England, but it proved a disastrous decision as Italy fell to a 36-11 defeat at Twickenham.

The Stade Francais player, normally a flanker, was hauled off at half-time after a display that gifted England several tries.

Mallet took responsibility for the decision and has not made the same mistake for the clash with Ireland in Rome by recalling veteran Griffen (pictured) as one of five changes to his team.

Griffen was not part of Mallett's original championship squad but injuries to three scrum-halves ahead of the England game saw the South African take the drastic decision of going with Mauro Bergamasco at nine.

Mauro Bergamasco reverts to his normal position on the openside flank, while Alessandro Zanni moves to blindside and Josh Sole drops down to the bench.

Luke McLean is named at fly-half following Andrea Marcato's injury at Twickenham, leaving the Azzurri with a new half-back pairing for the Ireland game.

Mirco Bergamasco switches from wing to centre alongside Gonzalo Canale, while Matteo Pratichetti comes in on the wing with centre Gonzalo Garcia named among the replacements.

Italy: 15-Andrea Masi, 14-Kaine Robertson, 13-Gonzalo Canale, 12-Mirco Bergamasco, 11-Matteo Pratichetti, 10-Luke McLean, 9-Paul Griffen; 1-Salvatore Perugini, 2-Fabio Ongaro, 3-Martin Castrogiovanni, 4-Santiago Dellape, 5-Tommaso Reato, 6-Alessandro Zanni, 7-Mauro Bergamasco, 8-Sergio Parisse (capt).

Replacements: 16-Carlo Festuccia, 17-Carlos Nieto, 18-Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19-Josh Sole, 20-Giulio Toniolatti, 21-Gonzalo Garcia, 22-Andrea Bacchetti

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

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  1. Italy played well when they had a scrum half playing in­ the No 9 position during the second half of the game is­ all I can say is Ireland beware.

    From fordellman, on Thu 12 Feb 8:22PM

  2. Italy played well when they had a scrum half playing in­ the No 9 position during the second half of the game is­ all I can say is Ireland beware.

    From fordellman, on Thu 12 Feb 8:22PM

  3. Italy played well when they had a scrum half playing in­ the No 9 position during the second half of the game is­ all I can say is Ireland beware.

    From fordellman, on Thu 12 Feb 8:20PM
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